31 October 2026
In Moscow on the morning of October 31, operations at three airports were restricted due to an attack by balloons carrying drones, and later a fire broke out near Sheremetyevo Airport.
This was reported by the publication ASTRA.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin claimed that 11 drones heading toward the Russian capital had allegedly been shot down. At the same time, residents of the Moscow region reported explosions, particularly near the village of Nakhabino.
A fire also broke out in the Sheremetyevo area, sending a column of black smoke into the sky. The source of the fire is located in a forest north of the airport, near the TZK Sheremetyevo fuel and lubricants depot.
A column of black smoke from a fire near Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow on October 31, 2026. Source: Supernova+.
The fire may have been caused by a downed drone or by Russian air defense operations.
OSINT analysis of the fire’s location near Terminal D at Sheremetyevo Airport of Moscow on October 31, 2026. Source: ASTRA.
During previous attacks on Moscow, balloons with suspended loads had already been spotted, which, according to monitoring sources, could have been carrying explosives or small drones.
A Ukrainian drone at a Moscow airport and a hot air balloon over Moscow on October 23, 2026. Images from Exilenova+ photos/videos
As previously reported by Militarnyi, on October 23, Ukrainian drones and balloons caused all four Moscow airports to shut down. At that time, more than 340 flights were delayed or canceled.